Joseph Reed Hayes, playwright

Performance Videos 

West Farms

"You get offa one bus, and you get on another one."

A worn man reminisces about an almost mythical drinking establishment from his childhood near the West Farms bus depot in the Bronx.

  • Drama. One Act, 20 minutes. Three male actors. Can be done with minimal set.


    "West Farms" 14:05

    "West Farms" interview 8:30


    video based on the 2007 Playwright's Roundtable production, Valencia College Black Box Theatre, Orlando FL
    taped at the studios of Vision TV (Orlando)
    WILLIE: Eric Kuritzky
    DANNY: David Lugo
    Charles R. Dent, director

    interview and play aired December 2007
    WEST FARMS

A Little Crazy

"History is what happens after you're dead — this is family!"

A comedy about real life (or a drama with some very funny bits) about an elderly Polish man's last days with his favorite nephew — a warm, touching tale of life, death, laughter, tears, storytelling, secrets, being Jewish, revelations about jazz and Louis Armstrong ... and glass pants.

  • Comedy/drama. Full length, 90 minutes. Two male actors: one playing mid-80s; one playing mid-30s. Can be done with minimal set.

 
"When I was 17..." :48


From the 2002 Orlando International Fringe Festival production, Orlando FL
AVRAM: Paul M. Wegman
HARRY: Matt Curless
Paula Rossman, director

A LITTLE CRAZY

If I Had My Way

"That is one mighty sharp woman ... and I have the scars to prove it."

The illogical logic of relationships and the inequity of war meets the magic of a Spring evening in a small Florida citrus town.

  • Drama. Full length, three act, 120 minutes. Three female, four male actors: playing from early-20s to senior.

Monologue from the upcoming play

If I Had My Way 5:00

Reading, Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach FL 2007
IF I HAD MY WAY
Solos

"The trumpet is a solo instrument, Ellie. Sometimes you just gotta blow."

The Jazz Romance of trumpeter Ben "Blue" Miller and Ellie Grace, a woman composer in a man's world. A tale as passionate as the music.

A live band and all-original compositions

  • Drama with music. Full length, 90 minutes. One male, one female actor: playing from mid-20s to senior. Can be done with minimal set.



"Solos" Act 1 5:50

Original music written by Brian Groder.
Versions for live band or prerecorded music available. From the 2004 Orlando International Fringe Festival production, Orlando FL "BLUE" MILLER: Jay T. Becker
ELLIE GRACE: Luerne Pickart Herrera
Ula Stoeckl, director

Brian Groder - trumpet
Per Danielsson - piano
Doug Mathews - bass
Dan Johnson - drums
SOLOS
Brian Feldman's Leap Day Performance

"You might as well jump, go ahead, and jump."

Brian Feldman's marathon 24-hour performance art for Leap Day, with an essay written specially for the day